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Kenya Safari Costs — How to Budget

African safaris are often more expensive than typical holidays, but it’s important to remember that most Kenya safaris are all-inclusive. Aside from your international flights, visas, travel insurance, and gratuities, nearly everything else is covered—from meals, accommodation, and beverages (at some camps) to safari activities, park fees, vehicles, transfers, and even internal flights.

What Does the Average Kenya Safari Include?

A standard Kenyan safari usually covers:

  • Accommodation (Full Board or Game Package basis)

  • Safari vehicle, guide, and daily game drives

  • National park and conservancy fees

  • Internal bush flights and transfers

  • Emergency evacuation insurance (often included)

  • Optional activities such as hot air balloon safaris or cultural visits

Rates Explained: Full Board vs Game Package vs All-Inclusive

  • Full Board (FB) Rate: Includes accommodation and all meals. Best for road safaris with a private driver-guide and 4×4 Land Cruiser (with pop-up roof). Game drives are conducted with your guide, while your lodge provides meals.

  • Game Package (GP) Rate: Includes accommodation, meals, and safari activities. Camps provide their own vehicles (often open-sided 4x4s) with highly experienced local guides. This is the most common arrangement in safari camps.

  • All-Inclusive (AI) Rate: Offered by many luxury camps and lodges, this covers accommodation, meals, safari activities, and beverages (including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks).

How Much Should I Budget for a Kenya Safari?

Safari prices depend on season, location, and level of luxury:

  • Mid-Range Lodges (Peak Season): ~ USD $5,000 per adult for a 7-day safari

  • Classic Safari Camps (Peak Season): ~ USD $8,000 per adult for a 7-day safari

  • Ultra-Luxury Camps: ~ USD $10,000+ per adult for a 7-day safari

Internal flights and transfers are usually bundled into safari packages, along with evacuation insurance.

Budgeting Tips for Your Safari

  • Choose Your Season Wisely: April–May (long rains) and November (short rains) offer excellent value with lower rates, dramatic skies, and fewer crowds—yet wildlife sightings remain superb. 

  • Decide Your Comfort Level: Kenya offers everything from competitively priced lodges to intimate luxury camps. Wildlife viewing is excellent everywhere; the difference is in style, exclusivity, and amenities.

  • Look for Special Offers: Last-minute deals and seasonal discounts can make luxury more affordable. The Chalo Africa team can help secure the best value.

Private Safaris vs Small Group Departures

Private safaris offer complete flexibility and exclusivity, but they come at a higher cost. A great way to reduce expenses is to join a small group safari (such as those organized by KlipKlop), where vehicle and guide costs are shared among 6 travelers. This lowers the per-person price while still delivering an authentic safari experience.

Planning your Kenya safari in 2025/2026

Planning a Kenya safari? Fly into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) with direct flights from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. Connect easily via Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and other parks, or head to Mombasa and Diani for a beach holiday. Read on here »

Wondering when to visit Kenya? From the Great Wildebeest Migration in July–September to baby season in January–March, each month offers something unique. Discover the best time for safari, photography, and beach holidays with our month-by-month Kenya weather and migration guide.

Planning a Kenya safari? Most packages are all-inclusive, covering accommodation, meals, park fees, game drives, and transfers. Expect to budget around $5,000 per person for mid-range safaris, $8,000 for classic camps, and $10,000+ for luxury experiences, with park fees varying by season. Read on here »

Choosing between a fly-in safari and a road safari in Kenya comes down to convenience versus experience. Fly-in safaris save time, offer scenic aerial views, and use open-sided vehicles, while road safaris let you explore the countryside, stop at landmarks, and travel with the same guide throughout your journey. Read more about how fly-in safaris differ from road safaris »

 

On a Kenya safari, the vehicle you choose shapes your experience. Options include budget minibuses with pop-up roofs, closed 4×4 Land Cruisers for comfort and reliability, and open-sided 4x4s that offer the best wildlife viewing inside parks.

Planning a safari is unlike planning a typical holiday—it requires choosing the right parks, the best time of year, and camps in prime wildlife locations. With expert guidance from specialist African safari travel agencies like KlipKlop and Chalo Africa, you’ll enjoy seamless logistics, insider knowledge, and the best rates for an unforgettable African adventure.

Choosing the best safari lodge or camp in Kenya can be overwhelming with so many options—from luxury tented camps in the Masai Mara to eco-lodges in community conservancies, private bush villas for families, and beachfront hotels in Diani. The right accommodation depends on your group, travel style, and interests, whether you’re a honeymooner seeking romance, a family needing a child-friendly lodge, or a photographer looking for prime wildlife access. Read more on how to choose the best camp or lodge »

Practical Kenya travel information – Updated 2025/2026

Wondering how easy or complicated it is to enter Kenya? Do you require a visa? What is an ETA? Read our Kenya visa (ETA) guide to get all your answers.

While Kenya offers world-class healthcare in Nairobi, preparing for your health and safety before departure is crucial for a worry-free adventure. Here’s your comprehensive guide to staying healthy during your Kenyan journey. 

Wondering if Kenya is a safe destination for your next holiday? 

The short answer: Yes, Kenya is safe for tourists who take standard travel precautions. 

Before you head off on safari, it’s useful to know the basics about money, tipping, SIM cards, and power plugs in Kenya. From exchanging currency and gratuity norms to staying connected in the bush, here’s everything you need to prepare for a smooth journey.

Clueless about what to pack on your Kenya safari. Checkout our Kenya packing list »

Choosing the best safari for you

 The Great Migration in the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and perhaps the most famous wildlife spectacle on Earth. To understand where the migration is in Kenya and Tanzania at different times of the year, read our guide »

Few wildlife spectacles rival the Great Migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara — over a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles tracing ancient paths across the plains. Choosing the right camp, in the right location, at the right time is key to witnessing this phenomenon at its peak.

Planning an African safari and torn between a Kenya safari and a Tanzania safari? The choice often comes down to the Masai Mara vs. Serengeti. In Kenya’s Masai Mara, the highlight is the Mara River crossings during the Great Migration in August and September, paired with year-round big cat sightings and easy access from Nairobi. Tanzania’s Serengeti, on the other hand, offers a vast wilderness experience, from the famous calving season in the southern plains (January–March) to predator-prey drama in the north (July–October). Both destinations are exceptional, but the right safari depends on your timing, budget, and the kind of wildlife experience you seek. Read our full post here »

Discover how to plan the perfect family safari in Africa — from the ideal age to take your kids on safari to choosing the most child-friendly lodges and activities that keep little explorers engaged. Learn why most experts recommend waiting until age five and how to craft a journey that sparks curiosity, connection, and lifelong memories for the whole family.

From hot air balloons over the Serengeti to private dinners at Victoria Falls and barefoot walks on Zanzibar’s beaches, Africa is the ultimate honeymoon destination — where wild romance meets luxury and every sunset feels like your own.

Popular Kenya Safari Parks & Conservancies

  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Masai Mara Triangle
  • Masai Mara Conservancies
  • Amboseli National Park
  • Ol Pejeta Conservancy
  • Lake Elementeita

Explore our Kenya Safaris

Sweetwaters Serena Camp Waterhole Experience

, , , , 9 Days
$3,240

Set off on an unforgettable 9-day safari through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes, blending thrilling wildlife encounters with luxurious stays. Your journey begins in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a pioneering Big 5 reserve that shelters the last two northern white rhinos. From there, travel to the serene Lake Elementeita, where golden acacias frame flamingo-lined shores and abundant birdlife. Continue on to the world-famous Masai Mara Triangle, a spectacular wilderness where lions, leopards, elephants, and great plains game roam across the rolling savannah.

Mara Serena Lodge Wildebeest Migration

, , , , 9 Days
$3,240

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes. From the elephant-dotted plains of Amboseli beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Elmenteita, and finally the world-famous Masai Mara Triangle, this 9-day safari is designed for those who crave both adventure and comfort.